Apparatus for producing gas.



PATBNTED APR. 30, 1907.

G. MARCONNET. APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING GAS APPLICATION FILED JAN. 30.1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No. 851,954. PATENTED APR. 30, 1907. G. MARGONNET.

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING GAS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.30. 1905.

2 SHBETB-BHBBT 2.

GEORGES MAROONNET,-OF PARIS, FRANCE.

APPARATQS FOR PRODUCING GAS- Spebification of Letters Patent.

, Patented A ril 30, 1907.

Application filed January 30, 1905. Serial No. 243,364.

To all whom} it may concern:

Beit known that I, Gnonons MARcoNNET,

a citizen of the ltepublic of France, residing at Paris, Republic of France, have invented Improved Ap aratus for Producing Gas from Pulverizable uel, of which the following is a i specification.

Ingas producers ordinarily employed it is ditlicult to succeed in burning fuel containing either asu'lficiently large quantity of volatile matters, or'fuel whose combustion produces an undue quantity of adhesive clinkers. This difliculty arises from the fact that the fuel to be burned is delivered into the producer in, heaps, at regular intervals often Wide apart. The parts of which this charge of a 7 fuel is composed are first of all conductively heated, at the same time distillation commences in the freshest parts or layers and simultaneous combustion in the hottest parts or layers. The presence of these parts or layers in contact at a high temperature, causes the vitrifiable portions to become so to speak welded together or to adhere to the 5 neighboring wallsof the producer and they ultimately, unless removed, choke up the apparatus. Moreover as this combustion takes place in a somewhat restricted area, and at 'a constantly decreasing temperature, the re- 3 sult is that the hydrocarbons are not decomposedj Again, it is not possible with this method of combustion to deal with entirely pulverulent fuel capable of existence in the IIlOSf/ coherent form, even if as fine. as the finest flour,ywithout the necessity of continually stirring the fuel heaps to prevent caking, or to fill up the pockets which form.

Another 'dilliculty, that obtains in motive power installations having gas motors and 4 gas generators, consists in the fact that the gas motor ve'ryoften has to produce a variable power and the gas producer often contains a considerable quantity of carbon (coal). The result therefore is that the motor of variable power will be supplied with gas resulting from the more or less vigorous combustion of a constant quantity offuel, Without regard to the power developed by the motor.

' 5 In order that the composition of the gas same conditions of chemical reaction whatever this power may be.

This invention relates to an apparatus which allow of this combustion being made complete and possible whatever the fuel may, contain, in volatile products, cinders, adhesive clinkers and above all when the fuel is in the form of very fine dust, and to proceed in such a manner that at any given instant only the exact quantity of coal necessary and suf- 6 5 ficient for producing the gas necessary for the power of the motor at that instant shall be burned; the residues of the combustion, cinders and clinker, being automaticallyv de- 1 posited at a part where they are no longer 7 hurtful and whence they can be easily removed.

Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying-drawing show respectively in longitudinal vertical section and in horizontal section on the line A, A of Fig. 1 one construction of apparatus according to this invention.

First and foremost the fuel, if it is not already in a pulverulent state, is'reduced as by grinding to as fine a powder as may be de sired. In this form it'is deposited in a hopper a, in sufficient quantity for any desired length of time. The bottom of this hopper is provided with a distributing device which allows the powdered fuel to flow in the form 5 of a sheet of spray of rain, so to speak, into a vertical conduit 1).

The feed of the distribution mechanism is so regulated that the quantity of powdered fuel falling is greater than that which is necessary for the producer to supply sufficient gas to the motor at its maximum ower. As before stated the fuel falls into t e vertical conduit Z), and the resistance which the air admittedby a branch conduit g opposes to its fall has the effect of so separating its particles, that at a oint c in the conduit bit appears as a cloud of falling coal dust. From the point e a feed conduit 1" branches off which at its other end opens into a vertically arranged I0 fall tube 6. This tube 6 is constructed of refractory earth such as fire clay and may be of any form, but preferably that of an elon-' gated rectangular oblong as shown. The two side walls -h and 7c of the fall tube 6 form I 5 in conjunction with outer walls 1 and 2 jackets or conduits 0 and p, which are likewise constructed of refractory earth. The inner walls It and 7c are each pierced with small holes 3 placing the jackets or conduits 0 and I 10 matically in Fig. 1.

gag

p in communication with the conduit or fall tube 6.

The jacket or conduit 0 is in communication by a pipe ac with a source of poor or rich gas under a slight excess of pressure while the jacket or conduit p communicates with the outer air by a pipe y.

. The gas issues by the small holes 3 over the Whole height of the wall it, and, if a light be put to one of the orifices, the whole column of orifices takes fire. The wall is of the fall tube 6 thereupon becomes transformed into a veritable gas grill.

The base of the fall tube e opens into a lower chamber g, constructed of refractory earth, of somewhat large volume and which is itself connectedby a conduitz to a gas purifier and to the motor A shown diagram- The motor being at rest, there falls by the action of the distribution mechanism of the hopper a, a cloud of coal dust past the orifice c of the conduit 6. When the motor has remained at rest only for one hour or for two hours, it is not necessary to light the gas' again as it is lighted of itself on coming'in contact with the sides h and k which are still red; if the stop is of longer duration, these sides will be less hot and therefore it must be lighted again. one or two turns be given to the motor by appropriate means it will draw in at g a certain quantity of air; this air will enter the gas producer by the orifice a drawing in with it a quantity of coal dust in proportion to the speed with which the air passes through the said orifice. This mixture of air and coal dust as it falls in the tube e comes in contact with the burners therein in succession, The

coal first begins to distil and then burns as fast as it falls, but, at the same time, a certain quantity of air will be caused to pass through the orifices 3 pierced over the whole height of the opposite inner wall 7t, and this air Will contribute to complete combustion. it follows therefore that on its arrival at the bottom of the fall tube 6 all the fuel admitted to the tube 6 has been burned.

In consequence of the air and gas which pass through the walls h and 7c and stream from the orifices .3 thereof, the coal dust, gases, products of the distillation and combustion of the latter, as also the cinders I which result therefrom cannottouch these walls.

To burn the carbon so as to have only maid of carbon, it is ne'cessaryto conveniently proportion the quantities of air and coal admitted to the gas producer. For

this purpose there is placed at the base of Under these conditions, if

in any suitable manner, or it mi ht be a cock Z, which allows the speed of the air passing through the orifice to be augmented or diminished at Will. Finally by means of acock u the entrance of air admitted to the jacket or conduit ,0 between the walls 1 and 2 can be regulated. I

The combustible gases thus produced pass, conjointly with the residues of combustion, into the chamber q, whence they proceed to the motor, after having passed through a suitable cooler and purifier, the cinders remaining in-the chamber q.

A branche is led from the conduit .2 supplying the motor to a small exhaustcr o by means of which the gasnecessary to feed the burners is drawn into the burner feed pipe as. The ignition is efl'ectedby any suitable gas supply or by carburcted air.

It will be seen that with this arrangement of apparatus, the more power the motor absorbs, the greater is the quantity of air and coal dust drawn in at the orifice c; the quantity of coal burned is tl'icrefore proportional to the energy absorbed. If, on the contrary, the motor runs on a vacuum, and consequently requires but very little gas, the coal in powder 'continues to fall regularly and uniformly down the tube 6 and onto the overflowheap j, whence it is taken to be returned to the hopper a, either-by hand, or by a bucket chain elevator or by any other means.

If the motor has to work with a feeble charge of gas, for a comparatively long time, several days for example, the movement of the falling coal is regulated in proportion to this charge.

' The gas producer proper is placed in a second jacket 5. The space between this latter and the gas producer is filled with heat insulating material so that the jackets or conduits and 0 may be protected against coolmg.

conductor of heat, preferably fossil, meal (farine fossil, kiesclguhr) or asbestos.

A tube t passing from the fall tube e and through the jacket 5 to the outside of the producer is closed at its outer end by a transparent plate of Duncan, or the like, a sight hole being thus formed which permits of following the combustion in the gas producer proper.

What I claim is 1. ln apparatus for the production of combustible gas from pulverulent fuel, a gas producer comprising along vertically arranged combustion chamber throughout the length of which jets of flame extend, a conduit adapted to feed fuel and air to said gas producer and having an inlet orifice, means whereby powdered fuel is caused to pass in a continuous shower more or less closely in front of said inlet orifice and means that The insulator of the heat can be any non KOO ' combustion chamber'throughout the length of which jets of flame extend, a conduit.

wvhereby powdered fuel is caused to pass in a powdered 'fuol through said inlet orifice to combustion chamber throughout the. length -nicating with the inlet orifice of said feed conduit, a powdered fuel hopper at the upi draw regulated quantities of air and powdered fuel'through said inlet orifice to said gas producer, substantially as described.

'j 2., In apparatus for the production ofcombustible gas from pulverulent fuel, a gas pro ducer comprising a long vertically arranged adapted to feed fuel'and air to said gas producer and having an inlet orifice, means for adjusting the area of said inlet orifice, means continuous shower more or less closely in front ofsaid inlet orifice and means that draw regulated quantities of air and powdered fuel through said inlet. orifice to said gas producer, substantially as described.

3. In apparatus for the production of combustible gas from pulverulcnt fuel, a gas producer comprising a long vertically arranged combustion chamber throughout the length of which jets of flame extend, a conduit adapted to feed fuel and air to said gas producer and having an inlet orifice, asecond conduit communicating with the inlet orifice of said feed conduit, and with the atmosphere, distributing means whereby powdered fuel is caused to pass in a continuous shower through said second conduit and more or less closely in front of the inlet orifice of said feed conduit and means that draw regulated quantities of air and powdered fuel through said inlet orifice to said gas producer, substantially as described.

4. In apparatus for the reduction of combustihle gas from pulveru ent fuel, a gas producer comprising a long vertically arranged combustion chamber throughout the length of which jets of flame extend, a conduit adapted to feed fuel and air to said gas producer and having an inlet orifice, a vertically arranged conduit communicating with the inlet orifice of 'said feed conduit, a pipe supplying air to said vertical conduit, a powdered fuel hopper atthe upper end of said vertical conduit, distributing means for causing fuel from said hopper to fall in a continuous shower through said vertically arranged conduit and more or less closely in front of the inlet orifice of said feed conduit and means i that draw regulated. quantities of air and said gas producer, substantially as described.

5. In apparatus for the roduction of combustible .gas from pulveru ent'fuel, a gas producer comprising a long vertically arranged of which jets of flame extend, a conduit adapted to feed fuel and air to said gas producer and having an inlet orifice, an adjustable plate controlling the area of said inlet orifice, a vertically arranged conduit commuconduit, a pipe supplying air to said vertical per end-of said vertical conduit, distributing means for causing fuel from said hopper to fall in a continuous shower through said verticallv arran ed conduit and. more or less closelyin front of the inlet orifice of said feed stantially as described.

6. 'In apparatus'for the production of combustible gas from pulverulent fire], a gas producer comprising a long vertically arranged combustion chamber throughout the length of which jets of flame extend, a conduit adapted to feed fuel and air to said gas pro ducer and having an inlet orifice, an adjustable plate controlling the area of said inlet orifice, a vertically arranged conduit commumeeting with the inlet orifice of said feed conduit, a pipe supplying an to said verti- -cal conduit, a powdered fuel hopper at the u per end of said vertical conduit, an adjustaiile inclined plate located below said hopper and frointhe lower edge of which powdered fuel is "caused to fall in a continuous shower through said vertically arranged conduit and more or less closely in front of the inlet orifice of said feed conduit and means that draw regulated quantities of air and powdered fuel through said inlet orifice .to said gas producer, substantially as described.

7 In apparatus for the production of com.- bustible gas from pulverulent fuel, a gas producer comprisinga long vertically arranged combustion chamber throughout the length of which jets of flame extend, and a gas and cinder collecting chamber with which the lower end of said combustion chamber communicates, a feed conduit having an inlet orifice for fuel and air to the upper end of said combustion chamber, means whereby powdered fuel is caused to pass in a continuous shower more or less closely in front of the inlet orifice of said conduit, a gas exit-pipe from the sa d "as and cinder chamber of said producer and suction means that draw gas from said .pipe and regulated quantities of air and powdered fuel through said inlet orifice and into said combustion chamber, substantially as described.

8. In apparatus for the production of combustible gas from pulverulcnt fuel, a gas pro ducer comprisinga long vertically arranged combustion.chamber throughout the length of which jets of flame extend, and a gas and cinder collecting chamber with which the lower end of said combustion chamber communicates, a'feed conduit having an inlet 01ifice for fuel and air to the upper end of said combustion chamber, means whereby powdered fuel is caused to pass in a continuous shower more or lcss'closely in front of the inlet orifice of said conduit, a gas exit pipe from the said gas and cinder chamber of said producer and amotor driven by the gas deliver'ed threugh said exit pipe andadapted to draw regulated quantities of air and powdered fuel through said inlet orifice according toqthe-Work being .done, substantially as described.

9. In apparatus for the, re d-uction of coinf bustible from pulveru ent fuel, a gas producer comprisinga long verticallyarranged combustion chamber throughout the length of which jets of flame eXt-end,.'and a gas and cinder collecting chamber with which .the ilovver end of said combustion chamber communi'cates, a feed ccnduit having an inlet orifice' fer fuel and air to the upper end (.15 said combustion chamber, a second ccnduit communicating withthe inlet orifice of said, feed conduit, and with the 'atincs'phere, dis .tributing means whereby powdered fuel is, caused to pass ;in a continue-us ashower through said 'se'e'cndccnduit and mcr'e or less closely frontcfythe inlet orifice (1f said feed conduit, a gas exit, pipe from thesaid gas and cinder chamber,- and a" motcrtdriven by the gas-delivered throughsaid exit pipe andadapted to draw regulated quantities cf air and powdered fuel through said inlet orifice according to the ivcrk being done, substantially as described.

10. In apparatus for the production of.

' January, 1905 combustible gas from pulverulent fuel,- a gas producer compiising' 'a' long vertically arranged combustion chamber throughout the length; of which 'jetsfof flame extend, and a gas and cinder "deflecting chamber with which the'lower end of said combustion chamber communicates, a feed conduit having an "inlet orifice'fcr fuell'and air to the upper end adapted to'draw regulated quantities of air and powderedfuel through said inlet orifice according to the Wcrk being done, substantially as described.

Signed at Paris, France, this 17th day'of GEORGES MARCONNET. Witnesses:

LOUIS GARDET,

JOHN BAKER.

of said feed conduit and a motor driven by the gas delivered through said exit pipe and 

